Exec Chef of S. Norwalk's Match Develops Bone-Healthy Items for Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles Gala

THE ORTHOPAEDIC FOUNDATION FOR ACTIVE LIFESTYLES CONCLUDED ITS 9TH ANNIVERSARY GALA WITH SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FROM MULTIPLE GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SINGER MICHAEL BOLTON AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

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Gala Honorees Included Actor Charles Grodin, Renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon Richard J. Hawkins, MD; and Real Estate Executives Jay Badame and Robert Futterman

Multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and social activist Michael Bolton gave a special performance rounding out an evening of elegance and honors during the 9th Anniversary Gala of The Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles (OFALS), which took place November 13, 2013 at The Mandarin Oriental in New York City.

Hosted by WNBC-TV sports anchor Bruce Beck, the gala honored actor Charles Grodin — star of such films as The Heartbreak Kid, Midnight Run and the Beethoven movies — with its ‘Spirit of Active Lifestyle’ Award.  Also honored were renowned shoulder surgeon, author and team physician for the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies, Richard Hawkins, MD, who received the ‘Excellence in Sports Medicine’ Award; and real estate executives Jay Badame, President and Chief Operating Officer of Tishman Construction Corporation of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic, and Robert Futterman, Chairman and CEO of RKF.  Badame and Futterman were co-recipients of the Foundation’s ‘Leadership Award for Corporate Philanthropy.’

The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by dinner and the program, which concluded with Bolton’s special performance.  Exclusive items like poker night with Ray Romano and Brad Garrett at Garrett’s Malibu home; a culinary experience with renowned chef Emeril Lagasse; a vacation to Blackberry Farm, Sea Island; a VIP Party with Yankees legend Mariano Rivera; and other incredible items were auctioned off during the Gala’s live auction.

In line with the Foundation’s mission to raise awareness of bone health and promote an active and healthy lifestyle for all age groups, a four-course bone-healthy menu was masterfully prepared by award winning chefs Christopher Bradley from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group and Matt Storch, with special wine pairings selected by sommelier Annie Turso.  Bradley is Executive Chef of Untitled at the Whitney Museum in New York City, while Storch is Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Match in South Norwalk, Connecticut.

The bone healthy menu, featured dishes in each course that contained nutrient-rich ingredients like quinoa, pepita seeds, salmon and kale, that are critical to improved bone health and help prevent osteoporosis.  Chef Bradley’s Orange-Glazed Petit Carrots & Quinoa Salad with Mint-Yogurt Vinaigrette and Chef Storch’s Garganelli Pasta with Smooth & Roasted Butternut Squash and Grated Parmesan Reggiano, Julienne Sage & Toasted Pepita Seeds were just a sample of some of the savory dishes enjoyed by diners at the Gala.

Guests attending this year’s event included: one of Sports Illustrated’s “100 Greatest Female Athletes of the Century,” water skiing great Camille Duvall Hero; National and International Rhythmic Gymnastics Gold Medalist, Wendy Hilliard; America’s Cup and Around the World Sailboat racer, Dawn Riley; Olympic hopeful and U.S. Freestyle Ski Team member, K.C. Oakley; and award-winning winemaker and owner of the Au Bon Climat winery, Jim Clendenen.

Past honorees and guests include business magnate Martha Stewart, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, tennis legend Billie Jean King, comedian Bill Cosby and Olympic Gold Medalist skier, Picabo Street.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles, developed by Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist Kevin Plancher, MD. OFALS is a not-for-profit foundation whose principal mission is to promote, support, develop and encourage research and education concerning orthopaedic injuries and musculoskeletal diseases.  Support will fund cutting edge research on new and minimally invasive ways to treat pain and keep individuals active.  Proceeds will also provide hands on “Doctor for a Day” educational labs for middle school and high school students in the New York and Connecticut region.

For additional information about the organization, contact Janine Bahar at (203) 869-2002 ext. 403 or at jbahar@ofals.org.

About Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles (OFALS)

Based in Greenwich, Connecticut, The Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles (www.ofals.org) is a not-for-profit organization whose principal mission is to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for all age groups, support, develop and encourage research and education concerning orthopaedic care and advancements in technologies and treatment of arthritis, orthopaedic injuries and musculoskeletal diseases. Focusing on medical education for doctors and other health care professionals, research and community outreach, the Foundation was developed by Kevin Plancher, MD, a resident of Greenwich and one of the leading orthopaedic surgeons in the Northeast. www.ofals.org